Morocco’s new environmental policy aims to prevent sites such as the now-closed Oulja rubbish dump near Rabat. AFP/Abdelhak Senna
.
* Long-awaited environmental strategy supports sustainable development. *
.
Magharebia, by Siham Ali (Rabat, Morocco, April 24, 2014) — Morocco this month unveiled its new national charter for the environment and sustainable development. The law, which comes as part of the new constitution, includes a special police unit tasked with identifying industrial polluters, Environment Minister Hakima El Haite told the press on April 8th. It also covers monitoring methods, such as environmental impact studies.
The work of the environmental police will help improve people’s lives, she said. This year, some 100 sworn inspectors will traverse the country to respond to some 1,500 complaints from organizations and citizens regarding pollution and contamination.
According to economist Rkia Nhiri, the long-awaited environmental strategy supports sustainable development. It can also help strengthen the kingdom’s finances. “The cost of environmental damage in Morocco is estimated at 4% of GDP, or 13 billion dirhams a year. That’s a huge financial loss!” she told Magharebia.
“The environmental sector is an extremely important niche, which needs to be exploited in order to bring benefits for the economy and employment, as happens in other countries,” she said. The new measure should include steps to raise awareness among Moroccan youth, Nhiri added.
Young people will have a chance to work in the promising new sector of sustainable development and environmental protection, sociologist Brahim Tanfouri agreed. “In fact, the environmental policy will surely boost employment among young graduates,” he said. “The environment is regarded as a sector with a big future in terms of promoting employment in various countries,” Tanfouri added.
Sara Touil, a 21-year-old student of physics and chemistry, is among the young people considering a career in the sector. “I’d really like to be an environmental inspector,” she said.
Citizens need to be made aware of the government’s new strategy, teacher Hamid Masrour said. Morocco should bring public attention to the economic opportunities offered by sustainable development. There are many niches can be explored by young people, especially “green” tourism, he added.
“All we have to do is show them the right path so that they can get into this sector. This is a big opportunity to create wealth,” he said. He knows first-hand about the job prospects available in this emerging economic sector. “Instead of ending up unemployed, my son Ayman, who earned a degree in economics three years ago, is setting up an eco-tourism business in the south,” he said.
The post ‘Green jobs’ Grow in Morocco – Magharebia appeared first on Morocco On The Move.